ON THE ADVANTAGES OF GROWING PIT-WOOD TIMBER. 283 
to a very great extent. But all the same, I can well under- 
stand that there may be many who have not had an opportunity 
to study the question themselves, and who hesitate to take the 
initiative ; and it is to those,that I would especially address my 
remarks as to the advantages of growing pit-wood. 
A quick return for capital laid out in planting is a great 
consideration to those who have not the incentive to plant for 
the good of future generations, and pit-wood supplies this. A 
return of capital, as well as large profits, can be got in from 
twenty to forty years. In this class of forestry there is a most 
certain market. The demand for pit-wood is enormous. In 
1905, 236,111,150 tons of coal were obtained in this country. 
The pit-wood required in connection with this output, at a 
common estimate of 6d. per ton, equals £6,000,000. In the 
county of Fife alone, pit-wood to the value of about £60,000 
per annum is imported from abroad, and these vast coal-fields 
are only in their infancy. The requirements in pit-wood will 
be enormously increased in the near future, and inquiries have 
shown that exhaustion of the .coal-fields need not be feared for 
many generations. The poor, low-rented lands generally found 
on the Coal-Measures are eminently suited for the growing of 
pit-wood. This I can answer for from my own observations, 
and I may instance the woods at Raith in Fife for the assurance 
of those who wish to see for themselves. Planting on the coal- 
fields, and close to the pits, does away to a great extent with 
the heavy cost of cartage and railway carriage, so disastrous 
to the profitable growing of timber in many parts of the country. 
Railways run through the coal-fields, and no plantation need 
be more than a few miles from a station or siding. Railway 
rates are by no means prohibitive where the distances are 
moderate, and there is only one railway company to deal 
with. I am indebted to the goods manager of the North 
British Railway Company for the following rates :— 
1s. rod. per ton for 2 tons and upwards for 11 miles. 
6s. 4d. ” ” 4 ” ” 5° ” 
IOS. 5d. ” ” 4 ” ” 100 ” 
Another most important advantage in growing pit-wood is 
the comparative immunity from damage by gales. The crop, 
planted closely and in large areas, can be harvested before 
